The Other Son

In the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), the older son was angry because his brother had received the same benefits as him in spite of the younger son’s transgressions. The older son felt he was entitled to more favor/inheritance than his brother. The pride in him rose up, and he felt he had earned more by his works and lifestyle than his younger brother. The older son failed to realize he had access to ALL of his father’s estate. It was his birthright to have access to all his father’s possessions, but it was up to the oldest son to lay claim to and steward what was available to him. Jealousy welled up when he saw his younger brother receive the same rights as him even though his younger brother had demanded his father’s possessions and wasted all that was given him. Pride convinced the older brother that he was more faithful and therefore deserving of more than his younger brother. So his younger brother’s reception offended him. Anger spring forth from unmet expectations and he refused to go to his father thinking what he was feeling was “righteous” anger. The father graciously comes out to his older son to persuade him to see the truth and beauty of what really happened and to reconcile the older brother to the younger brother and to himself.

The older brother in this parable is a picture of the Body and the potential issues that can arise when those that have been “unfaithful” are restored and reconciled to the Father along side those that have been “faithful.” Regardless of which brother you identify with in your life, remember you have access to ALL of the Father’s possessions. It is your birthright. It is, however, up to you to lay hold of and steward that birthright-inheritance. Whether it is gifting, calling, provision, prosperity, joy, love, and everything else the Father offers His children, it is your responsibility to receive the fullness of sonship. If you are content with simply having access to it without making use of it, then that is your choice. If you stay where you are and become complacent, pride and jealousy may knock on the door of your heart when others that you perceive to be less holy than yourself begin to take hold of what you have not.

If you are not living in the fullness of your identity and authority in Christ, it is no one’s fault accept your own. The Lord makes available to all of His children the fullness of Himself and all that is His. Therefore, comparison within the Body has no place. Your walk and relationship with Him is your own. Do you rejoice when a sibling is blessed or when they falter? Do you support and encourage all of your brothers and sisters? Or do you secretly seek ways to outshine them? Do you separate yourself from your Father and complain about the injustice of equal inheritance?

Entitlement is truth, but entitlement with pride is a perversion.